CHANDIGARH: Election Commission (EC), partnering with Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), has taken some significant steps to make the Lok Sabha (LS) elections in Punjab environment friendly. In a series of actions taken by EC to ensure the same, the state electoral officer recently appealed to all the political parties to use eco-friendly material for campaigning during the LS elections, urging them to not use single-use plastic materials as it causes adverse impact on human health and environment.
“We have held at least five meetings with the representatives of the political parties particularly to sensitize them regarding using the eco-friendly publicity materials. Besides, the PPCB is also doing its bit by doing the same,” said Dr S Karuna Raju, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Punjab.
The poll panel has also requested the oil companies to put up advertisements in the premises of their petrol pumps which use eco-friendly material. “Huge ads they (petrol pumps) put out on display in their premises. Just imagine how much damage this large quantity of plastic used for banners and posters would do to the environment”, said Dr Raju. Also, EC intends to only use disposable glasses for drinking water on voting day at over 23,000 polling booths across the state of Punjab.
Additionally, the EC has also appointed as many as 15 nodal officers, of the level of sub-divisional officers, to monitor the noise pollution levels during rallies and other election related activities hosted by the political parties. “Two cases have come to light, one each in Amritsar and Ludhiana, where the prescribed limit for the sound pollution levels have been violated. We have informed the concerned deputy commissioners to issue notice to the organizers.” cited Dr Raju.